Vincent van Gogh Bicycle Path Shines Bright

Sparkling heritage in the Province of Noord-Brabant

The Eindhoven region will receive the first innovative bicycle path in the Netherlands. The 600 metres long bicycle path runs where Vincent van Gogh lived from 1883 to 1885 and will have a unique design comprising thousands of sparkling stones designed by artist Daan Roosegaarde. The bicycle path will be designed by Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmans and is part of a joint venture between the municipality of Eindhoven, Van Gogh Brabant, Vrijetijdshuis Brabant, Eindhoven 365 and Routebureau Brabant.

The light stones will be used to create patterns in the path that will charge during the day and emit light during the evening. This creates an interplay of light and poetry. The design this way provides a modern interpretation to Vincent van Gogh. Cultural heritage and innovation merge in this new, public landscape. The first impressions will be presented during the symposium ‘Leading in Leisure’ on 24 October, an initiative of the Province of Noord-Brabant and part of the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven.

The Roosegaarde – Van Gogh bicycle path makes use of the light-emitting techniques of the Smart Highway concept, a joint development of Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmans for the highway of tomorrow. Preparations for the initial pilot of the innovative bicycle path have since begun. Plans call for the final design to be ready to be experienced in 2014, which will make this the first bicycle path of its kind in the world.